Natural remedies to alleviate anxiety

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives; it’s the nerves before a big test or a job interview, but when anxiety becomes an issue is when you’re unnecessarily anxious for no reason; for example, social anxiety is a fear of being judged by strangers when nothing actually preempted that. This doesn’t make anxiety any less real or valid, and it’s very common. There is a time and a place for medication; many anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines can be addictive which is why they’re usually only prescribed in small short doses. it can be difficult to deal with anxiety if you feel the help available is contained. These natural remedies to alleviate anxiety can help you feel calmer and more at peace.

CBD oil

CBD is derived from hemp and is the calming non-psycho active part of majuirana; although people with anxiety might not always react well to THC, thankfully, CBD doesn’t have the paranoia-inducing effect of weed. Studies have shown that it can ease social anxiety. I take CBD oil every night before bed and believe it helps me get a better night’s sleep. I also feel overall that I’m a much calmer person when I regularly take CBD.

You tend to build up a tolerance to CBD, so after the first few times you take it, you won’t feel as calm or tired, but when I stop taking it I notice it big time. It’s a subtle help, but for me, it’s worth it.

CBD can be taken as oil, supplements, and in food and drink like teas and CBD-infused chocolates so there should be something you like.

Decaf decaf decaf

This one is is less of an how to alleviate anxiety thing and more about how not to aggravate anxiety tip. I love coffee but caffeine can trigger anxiety and panic attacks in people already prone to them which is why I mostly drink decaf. There’s been so many times I’ve been wondering why I’m so wound up, and then realise, it’s because I drank a strong cup of coffee.

I’m more sensitive to caffeine to than the average person as my body even reacts badly to it, but in general, if you’re feeling anxious, coffee will not help. Instead, try a soothing cup of tea like camomile or peppermint.

CBD coffee is also an option. Some drinkers of CBD infused coffee say that it helps wake them up without bringing on the jitters, but others think it’s counterproductive. A lot of claims about CBD are anecdotal so it’s really down to individuals to see what works and doesn’t work for them. That said if you’re not a tea fan you could add a few drops of CBD oil to a cup of decaf to create a naturally relaxing drink while still enjoying a cup of coffee. It’s the best of both worlds.

Holy basil

Holy basil is also known as tulsi and is good for alleviating anxiety.

Tulsi has properties that help the mind cope with stress. Studies also found it to have anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties, and that people who took it every day felt less anxious or depressed.

Holy basil supplements tend to be very expensive. There are holy basil teas available from brands like Pukka for a fraction of the price. I can personally vouch for tulsi and say that I was surprised that I ended up feeling like a calmer person overall after taking the supplements for a few weeks, but I’ve since switched to Pukka’s three tulsi tea to save money. I only discovered tulsi a few months ago and think it’s the most underrated natural remedy for anxiety!

Tulsi tea tastes a little like cloves, so if you don’t like the flavour you can blend it with something else.

You can also try to grow your own tulsi plants if you’re green-fingered and make tea!

However, consult your GP before taking holy basil or any of these natural remedies to alleviate anxiety as they may interfere with other medications.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils as it helps relax and soothe people to sleep. The lavender plant has been used for centuries for it’s calming properties.

Studies show that lavender essential oil is a promising natural anti-anxiety remedy. You can get yourself lavender oil diffuser or incense to make your room a calming environment. To get the soothing effects of lavender on the go, essential oil necklaces might be the thing for you! If you don’t like the scent of lavender then sage, chamomile, jasmine, and rose essential oils are also said to be good for anxiety.

Personally, I find lavender sleep sprays and essential oil a bit overwhelming so I prefer the milder Sleepy by Lush.

Lavender tea is also an option!

Bear in mind that cats are allergic to lavender, so you might be better off with a different one of these natural remedies to soothe anxiety if you have house cats.

Valerian root

The valerian is a flowing plant, and the root is commonly used in sleepy and bedtime teas, but there are also many herbal teas that are sole blends of valerian root.

Valerian root is common in sleepy teas and a popular natural remedy for easing anxiety. It gets compared to benzodiazepines but isn’t quite the same. Benzos such as Xanax bind to gama subunit in the brain whereas valerian root binds to the GABA-A receptor instead.

Valerian tea has a earthy, grassy taste, so if you try it and don’t love the taste then you can blend it with your favourite herbal tea to make an enjoyable drink. I love to hide things in strong fruity berry teas!

To keep in mind

Even though these are all-natural products, it’s best to consult your GP or dietitian before adding any supplement to your diet. If you’re on certain medications, then even remedies straight for nature can inter with them. The research on how some products such as CBD interact with other medications or long term implications of continuous use isn’t conclusive yet as well. Make sure to follow the recommended doses for each of these too. I also think it’s appropriate for me to point out that I’m not a doctor or mental health professional; I’m speaking from lived experience. While these natural remedies to alleviate anxiety worked for me, you may not find them as helpful.

Unfortunately, a lot of these natural remedies to alleviate anxiety can be pricy, but the teas are on the more affordable side if you have any budget constraints.

Have you tried any of these natural remedies to alleviate anxiety?